New COVID-19 Vaccine Linked to Lower Heart Risks for Veterans
Recent research has revealed that the latest COVID-19 vaccine for the 2024-2025 season may help reduce serious heart-related issues among U.S. veterans. This study points out a small but meaningful decrease in cardiovascular events related to COVID-19.
The term “major adverse cardiovascular events” (MACE) refers to severe heart problems like heart attacks, strokes, and even cardiovascular deaths. Researchers took a close look at the health records of veterans, specifically comparing those who received both the COVID-19 and flu vaccine on the same day—nearly 350,000 individuals—against another group of almost 700,000 veterans who only had the flu vaccine.
The study involved over a million veterans, with an average age around 70 years, and about 92% were male. Findings indicated that within eight months, those who got the 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine had a 37.7% lower risk of experiencing COVID-related cardiovascular events. This included a substantial 57.9% reduction in the risk of cardiovascular death, a 38.5% decrease in heart attacks, and a 41.9% drop in hospitalizations for heart failure.
Notably, the vaccine was most effective for those aged 75 and older, showing a strong effectiveness rate of 50.7% against major cardiovascular issues linked to COVID-19.
While this study is observational and thus cannot assert direct cause and effect, it highlights a significant association between the COVID-19 vaccine and lower cardiovascular risks. Dr. Glenn Hirsch, a cardiologist from National Jewish Health in Denver, remarked that these findings align with previous studies, which suggest vaccines can help prevent heart-related complications from various infections.
According to Dr. Hirsch, the inflammation triggered by COVID-19 can elevate the risk of cardiovascular events, potentially leading to blood clotting or complications from unstable arterial plaques. Vaccination can help lower these risks, either by preventing infections or by dampening the severity of symptoms.
Despite the encouraging results, Dr. Hirsch pointed out that the overall benefit observed in this study was less pronounced than in prior research. This may be attributed to the milder nature of recent COVID-19 variants and the presence of immunity from prior infections. Additionally, a decline in testing for COVID makes it harder to accurately connect heart issues directly to the virus.
In conclusion, Dr. Hirsch emphasized that there’s still strong evidence supporting the benefits of COVID-19 vaccination and encouraged individuals to talk to their healthcare providers about vaccines during their annual check-ups.
